New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) tries to stiff arm San Diego Chargers cornerback Richard Marshall (31) during second half action at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants are fully expected to allow star wide receiver Hakeem Nicks to walk in free agency, and I wonder if they regret holding onto him through the trade deadline. Nicks was rumored to be on the trading block for a bit before GM Jerry Reese and the Giants shut down those rumors, and their reasoning was that they weren’t willing to give up on their playoff hopes and knew that a healthy, productive Nicks would be a big help. Unfortunately, Nicks was slogging through injuries and was horribly inconsistent, though the Giants probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs even if Nicks was at his very best.
He’s a worthy “risk” signing this offseason for teams, especially a team really need an “X” receiver. There is no questioning Nicks’s talent, but it’s always worrisome to see a player play as poorly as Nicks did in a contract year. Some believe that Nicks mailed it in in 2013, and there’s some more ammo for those who believe Nicks acted selfishly.
Per multiple sources close to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Nicks “was fined repeatedly” this past season for being late to team meetings and “missing treatment”, as he was struggling through some injuries. I think that sheds some light on his surprising Week 12 absence against the Dallas Cowboys, as Nicks was ruled out with an injury that wasn’t really even of note. The event was downplayed, but it was a red flag and showed that the Giants were indeed frustrated with Nicks.
I would honestly feel safe in guaranteeing that Nicks will sign elsewhere in 2014.